ICDDRB joins global initiative to end cholera

icddr,b has joined the launch of an ambitious new strategy to reduce deaths from cholera by 90 percent by 2030.

The initiative was launched by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC), a diverse network of over 50 UN and international agencies, academic institutions, and NGOs that supports countries affected by the disease.

While speaking at the launching event, Prof Clemens said icddr,b is the winner of this year’s Hilton Humanitarian Award 2017. Since its inception icddr,b has dedicated its work to saving lives and finding innovative low cost, and scalable solutions to diarrhoeal disease.

Globally, cholera kills an estimated 95,000 people per year and affects 2.9 million more. The map of cholera outbreaks is essentially the same as a map of poverty and marginalisation.

Cholera does not happen by chance: it inordinately impacts communities already burdened by conflict, lack of infrastructure, poor health systems, and malnutrition.

The GTFCC’s new plan, Ending Cholera: A Global Roadmap to 2030, recognised that cholera spreads in endemic “hotspots” where predictable outbreaks of the disease occur year after year.

Focusing on the 47 countries affected by cholera today, the GTFCC partners will support countries to reduce cholera deaths by 90 percent by 2030.

The Global Roadmap aimed to align resources, share best practice and strengthen partnerships between affected countries, donors and international agencies.

It underscored the need for a coordinated approach to cholera control with country-level planning for early detection and response to outbreaks.

By implementing the Roadmap, up to 20 affected countries could eliminate cholera by 2030.

The Global Roadmap provides an effective mechanism to synchronise the efforts of countries, donors, and technical partners. It is the first time governments, the World Health Organization, aid agencies and donors have made such a pledge.